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Glite Dictionary
scaly anteater

scaly anteater

8.5
A mammal with hard scales and a long nose that eats ants and termites
  • noun
  • /ˈskeɪli ˈæntiˌtɚ/
  • Indian
translation icon : pangolín
  • The diet of a scaly anteater consists mostly of ants and termites.

Examples

  • Conservation efforts are underway to protect the endangered scaly anteater from poaching.

  • The scaly anteater rolls into a ball when threatened by predators.

  • The scaly anteater is a unique mammal.

  • Many scaly anteaters are endangered due to habitat loss.

  • The scaly anteater, also known as a pangolin, uses its long snout to reach ants and termites in the ground.

  • In many parts of Africa and Asia, the scaly anteater is threatened due to illegal poaching for its scales.

  • The unique appearance of the scaly anteater, covered in protective scales, makes it one of the most distinct mammals.

Synonyms

pangolin
vsscaly anteater
1 9.7

A mammal with hard scales and a long snout that eats ants and termites at night

is not described as active at night in its short definition

Surface Forms

scaly anteater singular
scaly anteaters plural

Morphology

scaly + anteater

The noun phrase is transparently compositional: 'scaly' (covered in scales) + 'anteater' (an animal that eats ants/termites) yields a creature with scales that eats ants, which directly matches the given definition. While a learner might not know the specific taxonomic name 'pangolin', a B1 learner who knows both constituents can infer the referent's basic properties and function without prior exposure.

Etymology

Scaly anteater is a name that gives a clear picture: scaly points to its hard outer scales and anteater points to its habit of eating ants and termites. That's why this name is used today for the animal also called the 'pangolin'.